Millard Parkinson
Higher Education:
An Alternative Way
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
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Further Education Colleges (FECs)
Delivering higher education (HE) for 40
years
Full-time, part-time and distance learning
Broad range of subjects
Levels 4 – 6 and postgraduate Internal
progression from further education (FE)
Partnership with several universities
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
• Higher National Certificates & Diplomas
(HNC, HND)
• Foundation Degrees (FdA, FdSc)
• Honours Degrees (BA, BSc)
• Teaching Qualifications
• Professional Qualifications
• Postgraduate Qualifications
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
“FECs meet particular market needs which
are not the core focus of HEIs”.
HEFCE Strategy for HE in FECs, 2008
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
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In the UK:
181,000 students on HE courses at FECs
12% of all HE provision
269 (91%) FECs offer HE
48% of HE applicants come from FECs
FECs educate 3M people every year
QAA reviews, 99% of HE in FECs –
“Commendable or Approved”
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
Reasons for Studying at an FEC:
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Small groups, small class sizes
High level of support
Good access to technical resources
Respect for students
Approachable staff
Individual academic support
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
Reasons for Studying at an FEC:
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Recognition of student’s different backgrounds
Flexible academic calendar
Strong group identity
High level of teaching
Seamless progression through tertiary education
Total commitment to widening participation
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
Disadvantages of studying at an FEC:
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Low recruitment
Perception as ‘local tech’
Limited access to research activity
Limited social structure
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
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Recent developments:
Foundation Degrees
HESTRAT
Foundation Degree Endorsement
FDAP
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
Partnership with HEIs:
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Foundation Degree development
Partnership Forums
Shared research opportunities
Fast response to curriculum change
Link Tutor system
Shared staff development activities
Accreditation of short courses
Collaborative funding opportunities
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
• “The current divide between FE & HE is
less and less “fit for purpose” and shows a
lack of rationale behind the separation of
the 2 tertiary sectors. FE & HE should be
parts of the a common enterprise”
Professor Gareth Parry (University of Sheffield), co-director
– ESRC FurtherHigher Project
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
• “FECs as well as HEIs have an important
role to play in developing locally based HE
and in providing and supporting
progression routes to HE”
Supporting HE in FE, HEFCE, 2009
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
Aimhigher Solo Project
KGV Grammar School, Southport
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Young people between 16 – 19 years
Having the capability of progressing onto to HE
Living independently of parents/guardians
Considered as having a high risk of dropping
out, not completing, not progressing into HE.
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
Ravenhead Foyer
FdA Music Technology has had a work
based learning placement in their media
centre for a number of years providing
music technology/multimedia training for
its residents.
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
HEFCE Summer Schools
• Music/Performing Arts/Multimedia project
• 5 day Non-residential
• Year 11
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
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Teaching with new(er) technologies
Internet – e-learning
Mobile ‘phones
Hand-held devices
Games consoles
Social networking sites
Millard Parkinson
Higher Education: An Alternative Way
Questions?
mparkinson@sthelens.ac.uk